Mind Games – Healing or Harming Generational Wounds
The federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program is designed to address mental-health challenges among Inuit and First Nations people in Canada — communities that experience among the world’s highest rates of suicidality.
Demand is high for the program, which provides coverage for a range of health-care services, including therapy and counselling. A private U.S. firm runs the processing of claims as part of a $117 million contract with Ottawa.
After hearing deep frustration from sources with concerns about culturally insensitive care, red tape, and more, a team of reporters from the Investigative Journalism Bureau and the Toronto Star investigated. Throughout, TVO Today cameras were rolling.
We reviewed government documents and interviewed more than 60 patients, physicians, pharmacists, and experts across Canada. We dug into the professional backgrounds of therapists approved by the NIHB to provide care to Inuit and First Nations people.
Many sources agreed to go on the record — and on camera — to share their experiences with a federal program they say does not always help the vulnerable people it was set up to serve.
A murder conviction. Sex with an ex-client. Defending residential schools. Why a program for Indigenous patients uses therapists with troubling pasts
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program meant to fund care for Indigenous patients is instead failing them by endorsing therapists with spotted histories, critics charge.
Read the Story
Canada’s Indigenous mental health program is meant to be a lifeline. Instead, it’s so mired in red tape it seems ‘set up to deter people from accessing’ care
The federal government says it is working to make care more acessible and aims to reimburse patients on time, while also offering a crisis helpline.
Read the Story
Mind Games: Healing or harming generational wounds?
A mini documentary created in partnership with IJB, TVO and the Toronto Star examining alleged failings of mental health services provided to Indigenous and Inuit communities, including red tape, long wait times, and cultural insensitivity.
Watch Now
Chiefs of Ontario’ Regional Chief Abram Benedict says Star/IJB investigation findings about federal health-care benefits program are “deeply troubling” and calls for immediate reforms to protect vulnerable First Nations patients. Chiefs of Ontario/Facebook
‘Deeply troubling’: Ontario chiefs call for reforms to federal health program after Star/IJB investigation
The Chiefs of Ontario is demanding the federal government immediately review the professional backgrounds of therapists approved to treat First Nations and Inuit patients and remove those with questionable histories.
Read the Story
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said the Chiefs of Ontario will monitor the government’s response to calls for “desperately needed” reforms of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. Chiefs of Ontario | Facebook
Feds vow to probe findings of IJB/Star/TVO investigation on mental health care for Indigenous people
Investigation found the program approved mental health-care providers with serious criminal and professional disciplinary histories.
Read the Story